Often confused with the
more common barbarian, the berserker is a fighter who is able to achieve a heightened
state of mind in close combat. Known to be deadly warriors, berserkers wind
themselves up into a lethal fury before battle commences then charge headlong
into the enemy, regardless of the consequences, so great is their desire to
slay. This fury allows the berserker to fight longer and hit harder than normal,
all the while shrugging off the blows of his opponents as if they were inconsequential.
There are few that can stand up to the sheer blood-crazed might of a berserker
in full attack, and most will simply flee rather than face his terrible anger.

Berserker NPCs can often
be found in the less disciplined armies of the world, where their incredible
fighting abilities drive a wedge into any enemy force. Regarded by many as complete
psychopaths, they are still valued as mercenaries by any leader wishing to completely
obliterate his enemy.

Requirements

To qualify to become a
berserker, a character must fulfill all the following criteria.

All of the following are
class features of the berserker prestige class.

Weapon and Armour Proficiency:
The berserker is proficient in all simple and martial weapons, and all armour.

Berserk Fury: The berserker
is able to focus his inner rage at will and channel it into just one purpose
 killing! The berserker is able to enter a rage once per day by taking
a full attack action.

Savage Fear: At
2nd level, the berserker gains the ability to terrify his enemies in combat
due to the wildness in his eyes and the power of his blows. Any enemy attacked
by the berserker is automatically affected as though by a fear
spell. The Will save to avoid this effect is made at DC 10 + the berserkers
class level. Creatures of 5 Hit Dice or more are immune to this effect.

Berserk Attack: On
achieving 3rd level, the berserker becomes an absolute whirlwind of fury in
close combat. In any round, the berserker may choose to gain an additional free
attack at his highest base attack bonus. However, all attacks made in the round
will suffer a -5 circumstance penalty to their rolls.

Shrug off Blow: The
red mist descends upon the berserker when he is in the midst of battle. At 4th
level, the berserker may ignore all damage from any one single source whilst
in a berserk fury. He may do this once per day.

Mindblock: At 5th
level, the berserker is heedless of any distraction whilst in a fury, single-mindedly
concentrating on the slaughter of his enemies. Whilst in a berserk fury, the
berserker may add his class level to any save made against mind-affecting spells.

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